Ink Magazine 3.2

Vol. 3 No. 2 November 2010

Save the Byrd Richmond’s landmark theater receives huge support Featured Artist Alex Curley Richmond Ink The art and fashion of tattoos from the third most inked city

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campus life

Letter from the Editor The longer I spend here at VCU, the more I am wildly astounded by the amount of endurance and ambition today’s student requires.

Of course you knew life after high school was going to be hard. But VCU students need a significant amount to survive competitive job markets, the satisfaction of others, and for many, even their own self.

This issue proves how hard we are all working to do what we love.

Students are battling the daily commute to campus every day, or overcoming their fear of biking to get to class while helping the environment.

They are making better choices in nutrition and health. Some are juggling academic commitments with organizations or sports. Even more are working just as hard, if not harder, after graduating college.

We constantly compromise, balance, and sacrifice. Gone are the days of fulltime student status with a simple parttime job on the side.

Remember when that was hard enough to juggle? So why do we put so much pressure and overhaul on ourself? Because it allows us to do the things we really love.

I hope this issue inspires you to keep going, and assures you that everyone else is just as tired. Incase you haven’t been told lately, you are doing a wonderful job. Keep going. Enjoy winter break, I hope it brings some time to recharge and refresh for next semester!

Sincerely,

Editor-in-Chief

Staff Editor-in-Chief Christine Erickson Managing Editor Meredith Rigsby Advertising/ Public Relations Sarah Rodriguez Business Manager Lauren Geerdes

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Graphic Designers Dominic Butchello Hannah Swann Marleigh Alexandra Culver Production Manager Mark Jeffries Fashion Director Sophia Li

Arts & Culture Editor Jaime Barnett Film & Literature Editors Gene Stroman Charles Peck Visual Staff Heather Gibson Mary Newton Sagal Hassan

Staff Writers Lee Ann Ahlskog Mason Brown Joseph Genest Teddy Gregson Lauren McClellan Elizabeth Remick Sophie Solomon Resplandy Addison Herron-Wheeler

Photography Director Cassie Mulheron

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campus life Ink Magazine Contact us!

VCU Student Media Center 817 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220 804.828.1058 (Receptionist)

inkmagazine.vcu@gmail.com inkmagazine.tumblr.com

arts & culture campus life 4

Northside Ain’t Naughty The daily transition from suburbia to the city, and then back again-- sometimes com- muting has its perks.

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Healthy Eating 101 Weight gain in college is not a new problem. If stress and time have left you still battling unhealthy eating hab- its, we have some new ideas for you.

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Prima Ballerina An interview with VCU dance and choreography student working towards her degree through Richmond Ballet Company’s selective program.

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Biking for Beginners Know the tips and tools of smart biking for safe and easy riding.

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Crew Team Diaries It takes dedication, strength and training to row--oh, and a disregard for sleeping. One of the VCU’s team members (and Ink staff writer) tells how he balances it all.

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Backstage Behind the Scenes A lot more is happening off stage than you think. We’ve also cleared some misconcep- tions about the men and women in black.

contemporary issues 11

Greenwashing Students As a college student, going green can be an expensive option. But just because you buy generic over organic does not mean you are a terrible person

12 Know Your Roots

Ever been pinpointed as a

NOVA kid before you even

spoke? The same applies for

all the other areas of Virginia.

Discover what seperates your

hometown from the rest of

the state.

14 Save the Byrd

The landmark Byrd Theater

receives a huge amount

of support from local busi-

nesses to celebrities after suf

fering from summer vandal-

ism.

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Featured Musician: The Catnip Dreams Five girls bringing a modern vibe to vintage sound.

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Surviving, Not Starving, Artists Incase you thought you’d be living in a cardboard box in New York after graduating art school, we have some suc cess stories that might inspire you

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Film and Literature Classic picks from VCU discussion-based interest groups, The Bookworms of VCU and CinemaTalk

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More Than a Lifestyle The effects music can have on a person and the choices they make in life and all the parallels in between.

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Featured Artist: Alex Curley Our first F.A. straight out of VCUarts’ AFO program, Alex Curley has only just begun to impress us.

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DIY: Bringing it All Back Home There is potential home decor right outside your door. Grab your coat and bring nature into your apartment.

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Fashion: Tattoo In spirit of Richmond recently announced third most tat tooed city in the U.S., we thought it appropriate to show off your ink (coinci dence? maybe.)

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campus life

Northside Ain’t Naughty A Commuter Student’s Thoughts on Urban Suburbia

Christine Stoddard Illustration by Marleigh Culver It’s Monday morning and my Jeep Cherokee is grumbling at me, practically furrowing it’s windshield wipers. It resents the fact that I don’t live in Oregon Hill or the Fan. Why should it have to make a seven mile round-trip commute everyday?

Why can’t it just chill on Laurel Street?

Listen, Jeep. I could live much farther away from campus. But I’m lucky that I live in urban suburbia. My sanctuary is Bellevue.

Mini-vans, strollers and block parties with babysitters--these words hardly conjure up images of the “College Experience”. But they characterize mine: a Northside commuter student’s collegiate experience. I live in a calm, residential neighborhood adjacent to Ginter Park.

Imagine single-family homes all varied in architectural influences, bright green lawns and flower gardens in the medians.

Yes, I even have a birdbath in my yard, and my neighbors’ children set up lemonade stands. Bellevue looks and feels like the neighborhood that surrounds RandolphMacon College in Ashland. Yet it’s no more 4

than a ten minute drive from Downtown Richmond.

If you’re still scratching your head, let me put Bellevue’s location in VCU terms. At the intersection of Lombardy and Broad (where the BP and Dollar Tree are), go north. Drive past the Kroger and Maggie Walker High School. Don’t get sick rounding the traffic circle as you head straight past Virginia Union University. At the intersection of Lombardy and Brook Road, make a left, but not before checking out the massive VUU panther head on your right (it’s eyes glow red). Chug along Brook--noting the Children’s International Hospital, Presbyterian Seminary and 1920s mansions--until you reach Laburnum Avenue. Up ahead and to the right, you’ll spot a quaint stone arch. Once you reach that gnome-built landmark, you’re on Fauquier Avenue. Welcome to Bellevue.

Most of the houses date back to the 1920s and 30s before the onslaught of Post-WWII architectural conformity.

Thus, each house is unique. While some exhibit a Mediterranean villa flair, others hint at Tudor England or Miami. Best yet, there’s not a single McMansion in sight.

None of the houses are particularly big by modern American standards—unless you’re measuring their charm. Apart from a relatively new CVS, every store in the MacArthur shopping center is independently owned. Bottom line: The neighborhood is cute, not sterile.

So, I appreciate Bellevue for what it’s not. It’s not exciting. Bellevue’s a refuge from the stresses of school and the craziness of the VCU social scene. I don’t see my classmates chugging PBR and swaying in the street, plotting their next line of mischief. Loud music and sirens don’t perpetually arrest my ears. On a lively weekend, I might spot a kid-friendly neighborhood BBQ that’s over by 10 p.m.

I can sit, relax and focus on my art and writing. I’m comforted in knowing that when I want Belle Isle and Shockoe Bottom thrills, they’re a short drive away.

I have already experienced dorm life. I know what it is like to live in an apartment, and will very likely be living in one in a big city after I graduate. Honk! Whir! Buzz! will haunt me night and day soon enough.

That’s why, right now, I’m relieved to have my sweet, boring Bellevue.

Have patience, Jeep.

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Healthy Eating 101

Liz Remick Illustration by Hannah Swann A nutritious diet on campus can be a hard task. Students are busy with classes, especially during midterm season, studying and jobs on the side. With all the stress piling up, it’s not surprising that students start to crave food that is convenient but often poor quality. It’s so easy to grab Chick-Fil-A or a cheeseburger and fries from Shafer when time is of the essence.

However, unhealthy eating can lead to poor habits, less sleep and, consequentially, less-than-average academic performance.

It might seem difficult or unimportant to think about what you’re eating, but a good diet can make the biggest difference.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some tips to eating better at VCU. Shafer, the dining mecca of the compass, offers a wide variety of eats for a single swipe. It’s the destination place for lunch on campus, but don’t be fooled by whispers of stomach illness stemming from the food. The reason so many students feel sick after eating at Shafer is because they make poor choices. A cheeseburger and fries seems like a good idea because it’s

familiar, but without variation in your diet, your digestive system could turn on you.

Instead of sticking to one station at Shafer, make rounds. You don’t have to choose only one; you can make a salad and top it with the roasted chicken from the Fanfare station, for example. Or grab a bun and make your own sandwich using different ingredients from each station. Shafer also offers many vegetarian options. Try substituting a veggie burger for a cheeseburger and limit your intake of fries. Instead of pepperoni pizza, opt for vegetable pizza and make a salad with lowfat dressing. You can check out the Shafer menu each day online and come prepared to make better decisions.

The Commons area is also rife with healthy choices. VCU recently installed a full-sized Subway, and who doesn’t love sandwiches? Rather than the meatball marinara, grab a whole wheat sub piled with veggies and lean meats, and you’ll be fueled for your after-lunch classes. Grille Works, right next to Chick-Fil-A, offers veggie burgers and Caesar wraps with chicken or tofu. You can pick one and pile on the tomatoes, onions and lettuce and replace that 20 oz. soda with a bottle of water. Sushi is also a great alternative

because it’s pure protein and is offered all throughout campus.

The MVC campus offers Jonah’s, at the Jonah L. Larrick student center. It’s a lot like Shafer, but with better quality food.

One swipe will give you a full meal, so if you find yourself in that part of town, grab a tray and fill up on some meatloaf and greens or one of the many other culinary delights featured at Jonah’s. Another great place that makes healthy choices easy is the Hideaway Cafe, located in the Hunton student center. Here you can grab a deliciously smart sandwich and a coffee on your way to class.

There are many other ways to improve your diet on campus. Finding them can be a fun alternative to the daily grind of fries, fried chicken and greasy pizza. If you switch up the way you eat, and focus on vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats, you’ll notice a difference in your health, confidence, and schoolwork. You’re here to learn, remember to give yourself the best opportunities to do so. Eating better is one of the easiest ways to feel better, so make the right choices, drink plenty of water, and you will motivate yourself to be the best student you can be.

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campus life life campus

Prima Ballerina Article and photos by Lee Ann Ahlskog She looks like a ballerina. Her dark brown hair is pulled back, just unpinned for the day’s required hairdo. She wears a simple grey cardigan with jeans, and no make up at all. Her slender body makes her taller than she appears at five feet, four and a half inches. She does not only look like a ballerina, she is one.

Her name is Kassidy Greiner and she is one of four VCU students who are taking their first two years of dance classes through a selective program offered by the Richmond Ballet Company. The program also credits the students towards their dance and choreography B.F.A degree at VCU. More info on this unique program offered can be found online at http:// www.pubapps.vcu.edu/BULLETINS/ undergraduate/.

LA: How long have you danced?

KG: Since I was 5 years old, a total of 13 years.

LA: What genres have you danced?

KG: Mainly classical ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary ballet. I want to be a professional ballet dancer in a company.

LA: Such as?

KG: Ideally Richmond ballet.

LA: Why the Richmond ballet trainee program? Did you audition?

KG: Yes, auditions were held at the end of February. I knew I wasn’t going to stay in Kansas and the two-year trainee program 6

also counts as credit towards the dance bachelor of fine arts degree here at VCU. Once selected, I came to Richmond over the summer for the required five-week summer intensive program. For two years, you’re considered a trainee and then, roughly speaking, two out of the 20 or so trainees are selected to be apprentices. If you don’t get selected, you still continue at VCU, taking courses related to the major. The benefit of being a trainee here opposed to elsewhere is financial support.

All trainees are here under a scholarship.

My summer intensive was paid for.

LA: How was the transition from Kansas to Richmond? In general, and dance specific?

KG: In general, from Kansas to an urban city is a huge change. Dance wise, the whole seniority system. You’re at the same level with your peers- all dedicated and talented.

Some details that Richmond ballet prefers are opposite of what I was trained, like names of steps.

LA: Although briefly mentioned, what are some differences about being a trainee then in being in the company?

KG: Trainees get paid per show; company members get paid per week. Trainees are the corps in recitals; I am a snowflake and a flower for this year’s performances.

LA: What is the make-up of the trainees currently?

KG: There are two college freshmen. A third are 18, a third are 19, and a third are between 20 and 22. The ratio of guys to girls is one to four.

LA: On a personal note, what are your strengths [in dance]?

KG: Quick to pick up details. Flexibility and athleticness. You’d think I’d be graceful but I’m such a klutz.

LA: Why do you dance?

KG: Unconventional career that followed a passion I’ve had since childhood.

LA: Ballet in particular?

KG:I like the discipline of ballet’s history and at the same time the freedom that dancing brings. As a child I wasn’t good at sports. I worked really hard to be good at ballet.

LA: It seems intense; can you describe an average day?

KG: Well I’ll describe today, Monday. Woke up at seven, rode the campus connector bus. Walked five blocks to the ballet building because of an 8 a.m. physical therapy appointment [due to a recently sprung ankle]. Back in time for an 11 a.m.

Spanish class. Picked up at noon. Technique class at 1: 30 p.m., then Pointe, character rehearsal, and costume fitting. Rehearsal for Nutcracker. Over at 6:30 p.m. Come home, study/hang out with sorority sisters.

LA: You mentioned a rehearsal, when is the Nutcracker? And what other performances are you doing through out the year?

KG: We had the folk festival in October.

The Nutcracker is sometime in November or December. Then Giselle in February, and other small productions through out the year.

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Biking for Beginners Liz Remick Photo by Mary Newton We’ve all learned to ride a bike at some point, but its potential can often remain unnoticed. As a form of quick and convenient transportation, you can’t beat biking. It provides a form of daily exercise, is faster and more efficient than driving a car and is better for the environment.

When I first started school in Richmond, the idea of biking to class was intimidating.

There was so much I did not know, and felt unsafe.

With the proper equipment and advice on safe riding, biking to class can quickly become the best part of your day. If you’re thinking about getting a bike, you can find one at an affordable price on Craigslist, or used at a bike shop. But make sure you have the biking accessories you need and get to know the rules of safe riding.

EQUIPMENT You can compare prices from local bike shops like Agee’s, in Carytown, or Bunny Hop, on Grace Street, but fundamental bike accessories are available at most general retailers.

• Bike Locks are absolutely

necessary. Your best bet would

be a U-lock because smaller

chain locks are much easier to

break into. U-locks run about 10-15

dollars at the cheapest, and

they even sell them at The Virginia

Book Company.

•

Bike Lights are really cheap and are usually found right beside the locks. You can get a ticket for riding without one at night, so it is a must have, and they’re a bonus for safety.

•

Bike Pumps usually come with dual nozzles that accomodate different valves for tires.

SAFETY You won’t get anywhere on your bike without street smarts. Be cautious on the road and you can avoid some dangerous situations.

•

Be the person in control. Never

•

assume that a person driving a car can see you. Choose streets with less traffic, like Grove or Hanover, rather than riding down Cary or Broad.

As dorky as you might feel, wearing a helmet could save your life. There are less bulky styles now, and some of them look pretty cool, like moped or dirt bike helmets.

•

Hundreds of bike racks are present throughout campus, but if you can’t find anopen one, you can lock up to any street sign or bench. Make sure to lock through both through front tire and frame.

•

Leaving your bike on campus overnight is not recommended.

With less people around, bikes are much easier to steal.

•

•

Bike lights are crucial if you’re a night-rider. It can be difficult for cars to see bikers at night, and using a bike light will lessen your chance of a fatal accident. Having a front and back light can double your visibility, and reflectors always help, too.

Obey the rules of the road. When riding, follow the same rules you would follow if you were driving a car: stop at red lights, pause at stop signs, and never go the wrong way down a one-way road.

You can get tickets for disobeying street laws on a bike, just like a car.

•

Riding through campus during busy hours is probably not a good idea. Pedestrian-bicyclist crashes are embarrassing for all parties involved, not to mention painful. Once you get to heavy traffic spots, like the compass, walk your bike to where you need to go, or if you can, take the road.

•

There are air pumps stationed sporadically throughout campus if you need to fill your tires. I’ve noticed one right near Temple and the Life Science building.

WHILE ON CAMPUS VCU is a bike-friendly school, so you shouldn’t be nervous about ridimg to class.

If commuting alone doesn’t fulfill your new love for biking, many students get together on any given weeknight to ride in groups. It’s a great way to meet friends, and a fun way to get you where you want to be.

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Mason Brown

Mason Brown Layout by Sagal Hassan

...  I'll  sleep  when  I'm  dead.     This  is  the  mentality  I  have  had  to  cope  with  in  my  thus  far,  short  yet  violent  experience  with  the  club  crew  team  at  VCU.      I  never  intended  to  join  a  crew,  hell,  I  had  no  idea  what  it  was  until  the  Fall  SOVO  fair.  Even  # $! # #

" ! # # barely  awake  on  a  Saturday  afternoon  asking  myself  that  same  question.  Only  now  I  know  that  clearly  I  am  out  of  my  mind  for  not  only  sticking  with  it,  but  falling  in  love  with  it.     Crew  is  the  competitive  sport  of  rowing.  Using  boats  that  consist  of  either  2,  4,  or  8  rowers  plus  a  coxswain,  crews  attempt  to  work  in  perfect  unison  to  get  their  boat  to  move  very,  very  fast  over  $ ! # ! ! # body  motion  in  time  with  the  rower  in  front  of  you  and  that  of  the  rower  behind  you.  Every  stroke  requires  pressure  from  your  legs,  back,  and  arms.  Very  few  team  sports  are  like  that  of  crew.  Most  team  sports  require  a  team  to  work  together.  Crew  requires  you  operate  as  one.     Every  morning  I  set  three  alarms  to  wake  up:  4:30,  4:35,  and  4:40.  I  sleep  through  all  of  them.  I  then  hear  the  infernal  knocking  of  my  roommate  which  lets  me  know  its  really  time  to  wake  up.  Upon  waking  up  many  thoughts  cross  my  mind,  most  laced  with  four  letter  words  that  probably  can  not  be  published.  I  struggle  to  put  on  my  practice  clothes  that  consist  essentially  of  spandex  and  things  to  cover  them  when  not  rowing.  Spandex  are  essential  to  rowing,  sleep  however,  not  really.  The  world  is  a  bizarre  place.  We  then  meet  in  front  of  Brandt  and  Rhoads  to  car  pool  to  practice. Â

" # ! % #

how  much  I  miss  sleep.  Regardless,  walking  in  Richmond  at  4:50  is  oddly  empowering.  I  am  one  of  the  few  people  not  going  home,  but  rather  going  out.  We  are  also  some  of  the  few  sober  people  walking  the  streets  as  more  often  than  not  I  cross  individuals  in  a  drunken  stupor.  I  am  awake  when  most  of  Richmond  sleeps.  I  am  awake  when  most  everyone  sleeps.  And  I  am  awake  to  row.     And  we  row.  Boy  do  we  row.

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campus life     And  we  row.  Boy  do  we  row.     Day  after  day  I  have  to  prep  myself  for  the  battle  of  physicality,  emotion,  and  sanity.  My  brain  is  exhausted,  legs  sore,  and  hands  beaten  to  a  pulp.  At  one  point  I  had  "spare"  time,  now  I  simply  ration  it  with  sleep  and Â

"

friends  it's  way  too  late  to  hang  out.  These  are  sent  at  9:30...  Sleep  becomes  a  valuable  resource  that  one Â

!

Crew  robs  you  of  your  sanity,  but  also  keeps  your  sane.      Every  morning  we  set  the  boats  on  the  water  and  begin  our  row.  Its  always  dark  in  the  morning  due  to  the Â

! features,  just  hard  silhouettes  of  trees  and  construction  equipment.  The  mix  of  the  sleep  deprived  numbness  with Â

!

    That  changes  as  soon  as  the  row  starts.  Once  we  get  our  stroke  rate  up  all  peacefulness  goes  to  pure  concentration.  Crew  requires  focus  at  all  times  as  any  minor  slip  up  can  mess  up  the  entire  boat.  Every  stroke  must  be  thought  out  and  well  done  or  your  wasting  your  energy  and  your  teams  time.  Every  motion  must  be  in  time  and  in  sync  with  those  around  you.  Every  recovery  the  same  speed  as  the  last,  every  stroke  as  powerful  as  the  next.  Crew  requires  physical  endurance  and  mental  dedication,  otherwise  the  boat  will  rock  and  time  will  be  wasted.     Long  before  we  even  began  rowing,  Chris  Coon,  captain  of  the  boys  Crew  told  me  "We're  a  big  dysfunctional  family"  and  from  my  experience  thus  far  he  could  not  be  more  right.  Though  you  give  up  your  weekly  social  life  to  row,  you  get  this  group  of  people  who  have  this  mutual  understanding  of  crazy  that  you  all  go  through.  That  agreed  upon  insanity  and  dedication  it  takes  to  wake  up  every  morning  because  you  want  to  row  connects  you  to  people  that  you  would  not  ever  get  to  know,  even  in  a  campus  like  VCU  were  diversity  is  the  last  thing  we  lack  as  a  school.  Crew  brings  you  together  with  people  and  forces  you  to  work  together,  no  matter  what,  because  in  the  boat  if  your  not  together,  your  not  rowing.      Some  people  turn  to  frats  and  sororities  for  "the  college  experience".  Others  have  their  organizations  and  majors  to  keep  them  involved  and  focused.  I  have  crew  for  all  these  things.  Crew  is  not  just  a  club  or  a  team.  Crew  is  a  lifestyle  that  is  as  rewarding  as  it  is  brutalizing.      Some  people  come  to  college  to  stay  up  late  and  party.  I  am  here  to  wake  up  early...  and  row.

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campus life The lights dim and on cue, we creep out from our hiding spots. Within 30 seconds we’ve consumed the stage and leave as quickly as we came, carrying off, or placing on stage, various piece of furniture. This is the life of the run crew, or “techies.”

Our role: set and prop movers.

Costume: black (arms and legs fully covered, closed toed shoes) Script: the ever-evolving call sheet.

Cues: black out.

Blair Russell is the floor stage manager for VCU’s main stage production of Dead Man’s Cellphone. His years of experience, and learning the ropes of stage management at VCU, demand a large amount of leadership and cooperation in order to result in a functional unit. “It’s about team work,” he said.

In my experience with the run crew, nothing is left to chance. Call sheets are constantly edited and re-edited to perfectly orchestrate all our movements.

Every aspect of the techie and run crew’s job is for the audience to never consciously notice them. A big part of this is to not “take things personally if you have to redo things sixteen times.” Before the play, tech week is centered around sound, lighting, cues and transitions on being flawless. Setting and re-setting the same scene for an hour is often a possible scenario.

Director Barry Bell would tell us we’re doing a “great job, but faster, and don’t run this time!” Tensions run high as we hone our ninja skills, moving as fast and quietly as possible without running into the actors, the expensive screen, or falling off the platform’s ledge backstage.

There are several misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding backstage crews.

“I get dates, I don’t play World of Warcraft. I look good in black, and I’m not a geek.” Nicki Rosencranz attests. Just a small portion of the slew of misconceptions people have according to Ellie Parrish, a fellow run crew member for Dead Man’s Cellphone. To clear the air for all those confused, we wear all black not as a statement to society, but through necessity.

Techies are also not photosensitive, it’s just habit to re-coil from the light…

I was on stage my whole high school career until now. I have had good friends who were actors and others who were techies, and now I can truly appreciate and understand both sides. One of the biggest misconceptions is the actor-techie relationship. We don’t necessarily hate actors. Essentially friendly reciprocity and professionalism is key, the line just has to be drawn. Techies are not slaves. The backstage crew must do their job correctly for the actors to do theirs. It is essentially two different worlds working together and that is what theater is all about.

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Backstage Behind the Scenes Sophie Solomon Resplandy Photo by Cassie Mulheron

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arts & culture

The Catnip Dreams

Mari Pack Photographs by Cassie Mulheron In an age where honey-sweet, Oprahready archetypes like Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock often define the American mainstream standard for “strong women,” it is all the more refreshing to find women like Lindsay, Laurie, Zoe, Brandi and Allison from the Richmond all-female band The Catnip Dreams, whose members are whip-smart, wickedly sarcastic and very, very talented.

The Catnip Dreams, whose name comes from a Shonen Knife song about a cat with a catnip addiction, combines a late 50s mod vibe with modern pop and some sexy reverb to create a sound reminiscent of 60s girl bands, but one that is also startlingly unique, addictively fresh and difficult to categorize.

“When people played in the 50s and 60s, they only had the influences that came before them,” Laurie Lay, the band’s bassist, explains. “But we’ve had so many other influences that came before us that even though we’re playing that sound, it’s still heavily influenced by all the other stuff. Zoe and I were both in pop punk bands, so that influences the way we play.”

Most members of the band have had some experience with the pop punk style, though to reiterrate, The Catnip Dreams is not expressly a punk band. “I don’t think I could drum that style,” Allison Apperson, who recently learned to play the drums so the band would have a drummer, joked.

However after hearing a few minutes of her play, you’d never guess it she picked it up a short while ago.

“I just don’t write punk songs,” Zoe Golden, the band’s guitarist, added. “It just

didn’t end up that way.” “We could play all our songs twice as fast and we’d be a punk band,” Lay deadpans.

Lindsay Phillips and Lay’s experiences with go-go dancing in clubs located in The Fan, like The Camel and the cafe Lay owns, Sprout have greatly contributed to the late 50s early 60s influence that can be heard in their music. “The 60s in general for me is just an era in itself that is inspiring, especially for women,” Phillips, the keyboardist said.

This influence also stems from the social upheaval of the 60s, which brought about a new age of second wave feminism that overturned the post-war values of the 50s. Influence spread through books like Betty Friedan’s popular, The Feminine Mystique, coupled with groups like the National Organization for Women. At the college level, higher education for women and the sexual revolution acted as a catalyst at the time; a reminder of the power of being a woman.

And though not expressly feminist, The Catnip Dreams definitely give off some female empowerment, if not explicitly

feminist vibes. Phillip’s song “Lion Lamb” is an excellent example. “Take me as I am,” the lyrics demand, “a lion not a lamb”—followed by an awesomely dark, beachy rift.

Yet, despite these five strong personalities, there is no front woman.

No hierarchy. Everyone makes an equal contribution. “I think that everyone brings their own thing because we sort of all write our own songs,” Phillips said.

“Whoever sings the lead is based on whoever writes the song,” Golden explained.

“There’s no front person.”

The Catnip Dreams is a band of contradictions, of feminine feminists who are sexy but not sexual, tough but not haughty and whose sound is familiar but not cliché.

“We’re all really strong women,” Lay, with her famous irony, quips.

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Surviving (Not Starving) Artists: Ambitious VCU Arts Graduates Living the Dream Christine Stoddard Illustration by Hannah Swann In a dark and scummy alley lies a dented refrigerator box. Rats weave in and out of the holes they’ve gnawed in the box’s sides, cockroaches feast on a dead cat adorning the box’s entrance. Garbage cans overflowing with cadavers and spoiled food add to the festive scene.

This is where you, dear VCUarts major, will end up the minute you graduate and enter The Real World. As a starving artist, you have no choice but to live in that box, painting, sculpting or doing whatever it is you do. Well, if you shudder at the thought of waking up to the stench of hobo vomit every morning, I’m about to soothe your fears.

The reality is that some VCUarts grads do succeed as working creative types.

Some even move out of Richmond—heck, out of Virginia—and contribute to exciting projects for pay! What’s more is that some of them move to super-glamorous places and, thanks to a healthy dose of 18

determination, are on their way to doing super-glamorous things.

If you corner almost any little arts student, he or she will eventually admit wanting to move to a big, creative city and either working at an established company they admire or starting their own business doing what they love. (I fully confess to being one of them.) Probably the first city to pop out of their mouth is New York. After all, New York is America’s capital for publishing, theatre, fashion and advertising. It is also the second-largest city for television and film. With the right qualifications, connections and level of persistence, you, too could work for Jim Henson, Vogue, the MoMa, New York Public Radio, The Creatives’ Agency, The New York Times, etc., etc., etc. You don’t have to think twice about why they call it the Big Apple!

Now, I’m not saying this to sound snobby. I love Virginia and will always

consider myself first and foremost a Virginian, but the reality is that the state does not even begin to offer the same number of professional opportunities in big name art and media as New York.

Other states offer near equivalents that allow many of their art students to happily stay in state after graduation. California has Los Angeles and San Francisco; Illinois has Chicago; Washington has Seattle. But if you want to join the major leagues of art and communications while staying in Virginia, your best best is to move to NoVa and commute to D.C. Even then, your options are limited, depending on which type of art you wish to pursue. There’s B.E.T., National Geographic, The Washington Post, and several others; however, 1. a lot of the time, even these companies hire New York talent to complete assignments from afar, and 2. there are still not as many freelance jobs as in NYC. Just compare the number

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arts & culture of each city’s Craigslist ads.

Christine Pomilla, an ‘09 Photo & Film graduate, recognized this reality. In a recent email interview, she stated, “My primary reason for leaving Virginia and pursuing work elsewhere was because of my connections in other places and the type of work I wanted to get involved with. I’m very interested in working on feature films or even TV shows. I know Virginia certainly offers those types of jobs from time to time, but I did not have a solid lead to get work like that consistently. The most consistent work that I am aware of in Virginia is working on commercials, so I decided to go elsewhere in order to try to get the types of jobs I was most interested in.”

Currently, Pomilla is a freelancer in the film industry. Though she now lives in Atlanta (Georgia is offering excellent tax incentives to studios at this time), she lived in NYC for several months after graduation. During that time, she worked freelance gigs. One of these gigs included working as a production assistant for the HBO show, “In Treatment.” Could she have done this in Virginia? Well, as only someone who interns at the Virginia Film Office can tell you, no.

Pomilla, of course, is not the only success story. Sara D’Eugenio, Ink Magazine’s former executive editor is another recent School of the Arts graduate who’s made it in NYC. She landed a job as an art assistant at SELF Magazine, a Conde Nast publication.

Her tasks there vary, which is excellent preparation for her dream job as an art director. She orders and organizes art, edits photographs and even helps design layouts.

These young women didn’t just stumble upon these jobs; they were proactive and paid attention to every detail in completing every job application.

Anyone who has been on our campus for a day realizes that VCU has

many talented students. But the ones who are going to “make it” are the ones who follow D’Eugenio’s wise advice: Look in areas where you know people.

If you know someone in New Jersey, Philadelphia or Connecticut, consider those areas too. Most of my coworkers live outside of the city. I would not be able to do what I am doing right now without the help of my sister because right off the bat, you probably won’t be making big bucks...if any at all. If you have money saved, don’t necessarily expect that to be enough...NOTHING (except laundry) in NY is cheap. The apartment process is a nightmare , and you really do have to work, a lot, to survive here.

Working for Conde Nast is huge...with the best magazines worldwide, I work my hardest every day to make sure that I’m on top of my game because I know I’m lucky to be here and that there’s a line of a thousand other people wanting my spot, which leads me to my next point...

Be willing and ready to move quickly. I was in NY visiting my sister and mentioned it in my cover letter to SELF which I think helped. Though I was based in Washington, D.C (I had moved out of Richmond by this point), the fact that I would be available to meet with them without having to make special arrangements helped. If you are really serious about a job, be willing to spend the money to travel for the

interview. NY really isn’t as far as people think. By train, its only 4-5 hours, though trains are pretty expensive, but if you don’t mind buses, they run very cheap.

Also, because everything in NYC happens quickly, within hours of interviewing, I got an email asking for my references which I’d compiled ahead of time. Four days later, I was hired and a few more, I was a resident in NY with my life packed into two suitcases. My life and address completely changed within a span of a week. I made it very clear to my future boss that I was willing to be in NYC as soon as they needed me.

Now, after all this NYC-centric hype, don’t think for one second that there is anything wrong with staying in Virginia. If you want to work for a smaller company, or perhaps just earn a degree in art but not necessarily work in an art-related industry, staying in The Commonwealth might be the perfect decision. Yet if you’re confident that an A-list job in art and media is right for you, you might be making a mistake by never moving. Don’t be afraid to take a chance! That rotting cardboard box in a back alley somewhere doesn’t have to be your future.

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Film & Literature The Film and Literature section features a few personal selections which coincide with two university-affiliated, discussion-based interest groups: The Bookworms of VCU and CinemaTalk. The clubs meet monthly and bi-weekly (respectively) and are open to all ages. More information can be found at The Bookworms and CinemaTalk Facebook pages.

Bookworms of VCU Review Charles Peck Down and Out in Paris and London George Orwell I picked this book up solely for its title and author after visiting England and France a few years ago. Since then, it’s easily become one of my favorite novels of all time, and finally seems to be getting the attention it deserves among critics and the like. Published in 1933, this semi-autobiographical journey follows Orwell (though never directly mentioned in name) as the aspiring writer takes odd jobs in the filthy kitchens of impoverished Paris. After returning home to London, the young Orwell is eventually forced into homelessness and to bear witness to his own physical and psychological deterioration along the way. If you’ve read any of his reportage, you’re familiar with the gritty realism he’s able to convey in such concise, simple language. As a result, Down and Out in Paris and London reads much more like a work of non-fiction than anything else. At just over 200 pages, it won’t take long to read this one and still keep up with schoolwork.

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How to Be Idle: A Loafer’s Manifesto Tom Hodgkinson If you frankly just don’t care about keeping up with schoolwork, then this book will guide you along your descent into sloth. Tom Hodgkinson, author of The Freedom Manifesto and editor/ founder of the multi-medium British magazine The Idler, compiles a series of arguments for “a new universal standard of living: being happy doing nothing.”

As I personally believe that all literature enthusiasts (myself included) fall victim to the temptations of laziness far more frequently than the common man, I’ve had a soft spot for this book since I first laid eyes on the title. Hodgkinson prefaces each chapter with a quote from his own philosophical idols (Joe Strummer and William Blake, to name a few) as an homage to the universal human desire to just chill, bra. It’s topical humor that can never go out of style.

All The Sad Young Literary Men Keith Gessen Every English major--ever-should own this book. Better yet, anyone who’s ever wondered what to expect from their postgraduate career should own this book. I don’t typically condone the hard sell, but Keith Gessen’s debut novel is incredibly neglected by a majority of the people it most pertains to: young academics. The story follows three literary-minded intellectuals from their college graduation to their early 30’s as they seek success in the face of hardships

and defeat at the hands of peers and love interests. Also semi-autobiographical, Gessen’s novel has a similar realism to Orwell’s, which evokes a sort of everyman sense of endearment. Having a predominantly non-fiction background, Gessen’s been a regular contributor to The New York Review of Books and The Atlantic for his essays on Russians in America (he researched Russian-American cultural studies at Harvard), which adds a unique perspective from the first-person narrator, implied to be Gessen himself.

They’ve recently released an enticing paperback edition which can likely be found at any major bookstore.

Selected Poems 1956-1968 Leonard Cohen I debated whether or not to review this particular book on account of its tremendous credibility amongst hepcats and hipsters across the globe, but I found a used copy recently at Chop Suey and now feel compelled to profess the genuine quality of the singer/songwriter/poet’s literary work to the masses. Having primarily known Leonard Cohen as a musician, as most of the Wes Anderson generation has, I was a bit surprised to find his poetry more captivating than his music. Works like the existential “What I’m Doing Here” and the heart-breaking “The Priest Says Good-Bye” prove Cohen to be just as brilliant sans musical accompaniment.

Though no longer in print, most of his

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arts & culture poetry is scattered about the Internet so you have no excuse not to read a piece or two, even if it’s just to say you did.

Peter Camenzind Herman Hesse This book was recommended at an airport Borders recently and now wish I had the opportunity to commend the nice elderly lady for her great literary taste. Herman Hesse’s Peter Camenzind, despite similarities in theme, is not Siddhartha. His first work, published in 1904, follows the titular character through Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland, with hopes of instilling the beauty of reality through poetry to all he encounters. A typical coming-of-age tale, Hesse repeatedly presents Peter with the conflicts and frustrations of life and shows the rigorous process the strong-minded protagonist overcomes in order to fulfill his life’s moral purpose. Though twice the length as Siddhartha, it’s twice as good.

Let this review be a lesson to always accept literary recommendations from airport Borders employees.

CinemaTalk Gene Stroman “Jules et Jim” Francois Truffaut, 1962 (France) Jules and Jim, directed

by French New Wave mastermind Francois Truffaut, is in my opinion one of the greatest achievements in the history of cinema. This is truly a film that all cinephiles must see. The opening sequence (one of my favorite of all time) alone is worth the watch. It represents everything auteurs of the nouvelle vague stood for in the 60s - honesty, passion, and originality. The story is about two best friends who fall in love with the same woman. The subject is handled in an extremely sincere way. The interactions between these characters are handled in such a way that gives a new light to human love and emotion. It’s a beautiful story with countless scenes that will stick with

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you forever.

“Paris, Texas” Wim Wenders, 1984 (USA) Paris, Texas opens with a long, birdseye shot of wide-open badlands in the Southwest set to a twangy and haunting slide guitar.

Interestingly enough, this American masterpiece was crafted

by German filmmaker Wim Wenders (see Wings of Desire). This is a story of a man (played

by Harry Dean Stanton) who, four years after deserting his wife and son, goes on a trip to find them and explain himself.

Robby Müller’s (IMDb his cinematography credits) camera work captures the American landscape with great beauty and accuracy. The picture is extremely rich, filled with greens, reds, and blues (maybe a nod to the neon signs one sees along roads at night). Take a compelling road story, paired with Müller’s stylistic camera work and a great soundtrack by Ry Cooder, and you have a classic film that should not be missed.

“Dead Man” Jim Jarmusch If you’ve seen anything by American independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (Stranger Than Paradise, Down by Law, Coffee and Cigarettes) then you’re aware that he makes interesting, offbeat, oneof-a-kind features. Dead Man, Jarmusch’s take on the classic Western genre, starring Johnny Depp, is just that. Depp plays an outlaw who shares the name of the famous English poet William Blake.

After fleeing a double homicide, Depp runs into an Indian who just so happens to be obsessed with the work of Blake.

The two ride on horseback across forests and plains, sharing experiences. Blake assumes the role of the archetypical Western hero, learning from his Indian buddy and from Nature (which is again so stylistically shot in black and white by legend Robert Müller). To top it all off,

Neil Young contributes a badass, reverbheavy soundtrack that completely makes the film. Definitely look for this one to be screened at one of the CINEMATALK meetings.

“Easy Rider” Dennis Hopper, 1969 (USA) Easy Rider is a film that, after thirty years, has proven to be an all-time American classic. Surprisingly, I had never been exposed to it until a film professor raved about it over the summer. With the recent passing of actor and director Dennis Hopper, it was about due time for me to experience the wild ride that is Easy Rider.

Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda are two weed smoking, free-loving, bikers who ride their motorcycles from Los Angeles to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Along the road, they come across several interesting situations and characters (including Jack Nicholson in one of his greatest roles) that give light to the American way of the time.

With an unforgettable ending and a highly stylized, drug-induced cemetery scene, Easy Rider certainly lives up to its status as an important American Art Film.

“Interiors” Woody Allen, 1978 (USA) If you know me at all, you know that I am a complete Woody Allen nut.

So, I’ll go ahead and say the following review may be a bit biased. But to my defense, Interiors is the type of film that many people would not commonly associate with the master, himself. It is a worthy attempt at a drama (his first) and an obvious homage to Ingmar Bergman, Woody’s idol. It was the first film released after Allen’s largest box office success, Annie Hall. The film is incredibly simple in that it set in only a handful of locations and contains less than ten characters Interiors is a story about an interior designer who has been depressed ever since separation with her husband.

The film examines the relationships between this frantic woman and her three daughters. There is a feeling of contempt between almost every character, causing a slight feeling of discomfort in the viewer.

There is a very eerie, personal connection between the audience and the characters in the film, made even more noticeable by the lack of any music and by Gordon Willis’ simple and delicate camera work.

Though I personally have never been let down by a Woody Allen film, I’d say that this one stands alone as a masterfully directed drama, no matter who the director.

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Joseph Genest Photographs by Brandon Hambright “Its more of a lifestyle thing, really.” She said about the three X’s marked in bold, black ink on her wrist. A lifestyle? What exactly defines a “lifestyle”? A way of life?

Never has a word in the English language bothered me this much, simply because of its impersonal nature for describing something of a greater plane. Thinking of the word lifestyle reminds me of my employment at Best Buy, where the term was nothing more than just a label placed after different social economic groups to pitch sales to, an objective methodology of categorizing the aspects of daily life that defines some “individuality”. Perhaps I am naïve, but I tend to believe that for most people, there is something much more than the shallow implications of membership to “just a lifestyle.”

It can almost be defined as a social norm that the activities we partake in are the friends we keep. Sometimes hobbies get deteriorated and become memories through time; however, upon reflection I have discovered only one activity that has been a cornerstone of consistency in my life. My passion for music has always held roots much deeper than simple instrumentation. The friends I came to 22

More Than a Lifestyle college with and kept for most of high school, I met through music. I skipped what some consider the most climatic last week of High School experience for the largest music festival in the United States. Even when my interest in playing deteriorated, I would still visit the Music Resource Center (a local nonprofit music studio and practice space for local teens) on a weekly basis for the past five years. An interesting note I will point out to about the M.R.C. is the diverse audience it catered to that I was a part of.

By holding enough tenure at the center, I became acquainted and friends with hip-hop heads, jam-band followers, and hardcore kids alike. The cohesive unit between them all came in the form of not just utilizing this same space, but also for the same purpose. Recalling some of my experiences at the center, I have decided to examine some of my peers that are heavily involved in the VCU music scene to try and find this greater definition of culture. To not necessarily examine how they live their life, but rather examine the transversal mediums that run between them. It is in this search, on why we might possibly find understanding of this greater plane, through example of those who express their thoughts in the only universal language the world has.

For one of the deepest individuals I have the pleasure of calling a friend, Ryan seems almost atypical, a far cry from the whimsical virtuoso song writer of the band, Speaking of the Elephant. His humble appearance is only the surface to someone who examines his life in a lens, no matter the content, into practical, yet, profound poetry. A friend for nearly five years, I never came to closure on defining Ryan as a person until recently this summer when the question arose “What

exactly does music do for you?”. His response was simple; music was a greater communicator to him over spoken word.

For a reserved being, Ryan prefers to express aesthetic eminence to people over the mindless blabber of everyday talk.

Not just playing, Ryan shows concision in the music he listens to, which oddly enough, also depicts a painting of his encompassing being. Not predetermined, this depiction, gives this gift of a voice of reason and wonder not just for Ryan, but music as a description of spiritual embodiment.

To grasp this divine spectacle, perspective of the world is necessary.

Only living with him for a month, I find my roommate Phillip to host an appreciation of the world for its mixture of complexities. His outlook on life as a reminder of how insignificant our world is comparatively to the things beyond our reach creates an animated outlook on the practicalities of everyday life.

That is the beauty of his music. Phillip is the lead screamer in This Kingdom Falls, a prominent band in the Richmond Hardcore community. The collective force of raw emotion spewing into the audience, regardless of the words, truly represents the physical, almost primal, element of music. It is about just letting every ounce of energy in your body passionately convulse to the rhythm. To let every droplet of sweat to hit the floor be a reminder of the trivial nature of the world.

Most importantly, the beautiful ability to let go is overlooked, protecting us from the depths of our subconscious at times.

It can be agreed that as observers of the world, musicians tend to show appreciation through deliberation of the things they find beautiful. As a musician, it is clear to see how Ari developed his intricately sculpted perspective of all that surrounds him. His creativity stems from a family tree that includes a grandfather who was a genius jazz pianist and an original member of Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule production company. His newest album, Lover’s Lane, tells a story from the first song to last beautifully in sequence of his own personal love story. At the ripe age of 20, Ari has been through hell and back.

Although being diagnosed with Bipolar

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Disorder, it has only served as a steroid to his mental strength, with the residue being channeled in his music. In fact, if music was a faith, it could be argued Ari’s intellectual influence is much like a prophet. Citing English class for his ability to rap, Ari is one of the most well read individuals I know, but more importantly, encouraged nearly all of our peers at the MRC to become as knowledgeable as he was, not just for artistic flow and style, but for more intelligible content as well.

The power he holsters spiritually and intellectually in his sphere of influence is so strong, that he once claimed to reach the end of the universe in a maniac state, to which his peers did not doubt him. He is an individual who is defiant and holds full faith in his ways, which encourages all around him to follow. This brings to question, is it the power of the music, the individual, or both?

Around age 13 or 14, I worked with my dad in his delivery truck making extra money to buy guitar equipment. I remember this particular age to be full of wonder,

as I was about to not only enter High School, but begin my development into becoming my own man. While working with my dad, he explained some things about life that seemed too large for my juvenile mind to understand. One of my most distinct memories of this experience came after a talk we shared, to which the song “Eclipse” came on my iPod. “Eclipse” is the dramatic grand finale to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, which its lyrics compile and repeat a series of all that encompasses our life. The final line of the song is “and all that is now, all that is gone, and all that’s to come, when the sun is in tune, and the sun is eclipsed by the moon”. Although I could sense the poignant nature of the line, it had little significance to me, yet a comfortable silence instilled in the cab as the song went on.

It was the greatest sound never heard. As I sit in the front seat of my Subaru, my closest friends occupy my passenger seats, and “Eclipse” yet again pouring in musical triumph over my speakers. Every note sends chills down my spines as I think about the parallels between my father and I. I think about

him at my age, holding the same doubts, confusions, and fears about the world.

Questioning the same philosophical concepts of time and space, it becomes a clear reminder that this song is much more than a memory, but the present and future too. It is the reminder of the insignificance of all we do is eclipsed by something much greater beyond our horizons.

In trying to come with closure on this concept of grandeur proportion, I think love is understatement. It goes much beyond the stories of Ryan, Philip, Ari, and I. It goes beyond the physical, spiritual, or mental fulfillment, but the comforts of sharing it all just by looking in them in the eyes and smiling. Whether it may be music, or sports, or any other passion you cherish, this love you share is much more than a lifestyle, it is life. When the unknown gets to be too scary, sometimes all we know is all we have, and all we have is the things we love and cherish that keep us comfortably affirmed in the world. In the end, when we’re all trying to push forward, and things become a lot easier when we’re around those who have shared our pasts, present, and future. It is this reason why we have our families, our friends, which expectedly we can look to and help us live from these shared experiences. Because life is so much more than a lifestyle, sometimes it can just be a struggle just to live.

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Alex Curley Interviewed by Jaime Barnett

Year: Freshman Hometown: Richmond, VA How did you choose VCU?: It was in my own backyard, practically.

Favorite medium: Really, everything. I used to be very interested in charcoal but sculpture is really refreshing right now. I’m working with cardboard in Johnson Foster’s class which is all new too. Currently I’m working on a project called Floating Cities, which encompasses two of my current influences; oriental aesthetics and architecture.

How would you describe your art making process?

I think the combination of both AFO and an intrinsic drive gives me the ability to interpret structured assignments with few limitations. It’s got me constantly thinking: “What’s the next step?” For instance with Floating Cities, the process just keeps evolving. I got to a point where it was like, “What do I do with this? Oh, hang them!”

The program helps guide things in a way, but in the end I have complete freedom and control to create my art.

If you had to narrow it down to three majors in the arts program, what would you choose?

Art Education Sculpture Film What influences you?

Photography, not so much as a medium to pursue, just beautiful photographs.

Buildings, the architecture of the city, how everything kind of stacks and fits together.

Egon Schiele, street art.

Anything you want to say to fellow AFO students or those thinking of pursuing the AFO program?

I encourage everyone to use this time to get really experimental. Don’t half ass it.

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bringing it all back home Jaime Barnett When it comes to decorating your space, sometimes less is more. Particularly, when it comes to DIY dĂŠcor, spending less money and accumulating less junk is much more! In the spirit of minimalism (and the season!) we can look to our backyard to provide just the right amount of decoration in any lacking space. Not to mention, sometimes we all need to take a walk in the woods. So get outside! Go for a walk and gather your favorite textures, colors and items in nature to bring home and provide a nice element of dĂŠcor.

Painted Branches Instead of gathering twigs for a fire, find a nice handful to display in vases. A variety of sizes and textures creates an interesting aesthetic when paired together. Spray paint a bunch of twigs white to maintain a minimalistic look. However, there’s also something to be said for a bouquet of striped, colorful twigs displayed together!

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e

What can I do with this?

Found objects, such as railroad spikes, can be put to good use as every day items. Find two heavy spikes to use as bookends on top of a dresser. These re-purposed objects can also be painted to match any existing motif. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to recycling found objects!

Showcase your finds!

For a more formal approach, purchase a shadowbox to display all of your goodies on the wall. Bugs, leaves and dried flowers make quite an appealing arrangement. Use push pins or small tacks to keep everything in place and provide small labels under each item with where and when it was found. Also doubles as a great conversation piece.

Don’t forget! If you want the look of nature without the goingoutside-part, craft stores have an abundance of faux floral this time of year to create nature inspired decor. Check out artists like Andy Goldsworthy to get inspired!

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arts & culture

Richmond Ink

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T

he city of Richmond is known for many things, from its diverse music and food to its most eclectic residents. And we’ve got another thing to add to that list—tattoos.

Richmond has recently been dubbed third most tattooed city in the Unites States by MSNBC. This news might be surprising to other Americans but to Virginia Commonwealth University students, this is no shocking announcement.

VCU students know Richmond, and we also know tattoos are a big part of the city and campus culture.

The artwork displayed on student’s bodies is just another representation of the diversity here at VCU. Ink Magazine pays tribute in celebrating Richmond’s new-found glory by showing off some of the city’s tats.

The meanings range from religious to comical—but afterall, it’s only ink.

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Chris Smith Rivercity Tattoos The cross on my arm is supposed to be in memory of one of my best friends who died Last Thanksgiving in a drunk-driving accident. Rest in Peace KJ Rowe.

Pg 29 Bree Seherr Bex, True Tattoo “I’ve always been interested in Asian influence art, and I tried to mix that with the unique beauty of the male peacock.”

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Andrew Collichio Mike Moses, Salvation “The outside of my arm has a diner, representing the one where my maternal grandmother worked for her entire life. There is also a taxi, similar to my maternal grandfather’s which he drove his whole life. The inside of my arm has a purple heart, which my paternal grandfather received in World War II, it also has roses because my paternal grandmother’s name was Rose.”

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arts & culture Elizabeth Remick Josh Brown, Absolute Tattoo “It’s a representation of the black plague from a book of hours, an intricate Medival collection of text, prayer, and psalms.”

Abby Clouse Tattoo Paradise “The artist was a guest tattooer from Spain, his name is Deno Jr. I have been following his work for a while and really wanted to get tattooed by him, so I wanted to let him portray his unique style. I chose a bat because I think they are fascinating and just told him to do his own version of it as he wanted.”

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Tommy Desanto Katie Davis, Salvation “I’ve always been really fascinated with how big the universe is and how small humans are. It’s just very humbling.”

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Max Fisher Max Kuhn, Artist’s living room “I have two sixteen-tooth cogs because I am a cyclist, and also as a homage to the fixed gear. The number of teeth for the tattoo was chosen based on my own gear ratio (47:16). One cog is filled in and the other is not, sort of a Zen and the art of the fixed gear if you will.”

Bobby Cockerille Jason, Good Times Tattoos “My back is my last name which represents my family. The clock on my arm is backwards with the time 11:18 because that’s the day my dad passed away. The clock is backwards because it symbolizes time being reversed. The tree of life is underneath along with a moon for night and a sun for day. The Pisces fish represents me being a Pisces and the number 13 is my luck number. The whole tattoo is supposed to be a reminder to be humble and put life into perspective.”

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arts & culture Max Fisher Max Kuhn, Artist’s living room “I have two sixteen-tooth cogs because I am a cyclist, and also as a representation of the fixed-gear scene. I have one on both the front and rear wheel of my own bike. One cog is filled in and the other is not, sort of like a Yin and Yang.”

Bobby Cockerille Jason, Good Times Tattoos “My back is my last name which represents my family. The clock on my arm is backwards with the time 11:18 because that’s the day my dad passed away. The clock is backwards because it symbolizes time being reversed. The tree of life is underneath along with a moon for night and a sun for day. The Pisces fish represents me being a Pisces and the number 13 is my luck number. The whole tattoo is supposed to be a reminder to be humble and put life into perspective.”

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Photographs by Jenny Wolf Art Direction by Christine Erickson Fashion Direction by Sophia Li

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